JUST IN: TINUBU APPROVES N10BN EMERGENCY FUND, INAUGURATES PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON EBOLA PREPAREDNESS

TINUBU APPROVES N10BN EMERGENCY FUND, INAUGURATES PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON EBOLA PREPAREDNESS


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, alongside the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency response capacity.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the intervention fund will support the operational preparedness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other critical public health response activities nationwide.

The newly established task force will be chaired by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and will comprise representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments.

Move Follows Regional Ebola Concerns

The Federal Government’s action comes amid reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, prompting heightened vigilance across the region.

The President’s approval followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to assess Nigeria’s readiness and formulate strategies to prevent any potential importation of the disease into the country.

Participants at the meeting included officials from the Ministry of Interior, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Lagos State Government, and other relevant agencies.

Enhanced Airport Surveillance

As part of the measures approved by the President, the task force will immediately intensify passenger screening procedures at international airports across the country.

These measures include enhanced temperature checks, crowd-control protocols, and closer monitoring of passengers arriving through routes considered high-risk.

Airlines and routes identified for additional monitoring include those connecting Nigeria with countries where health concerns may arise, including Air Uganda, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, Air Angola, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.

The government also directed the immediate activation of referral and isolation centres at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, with similar facilities expected to be established at other international airports.

New Health Declaration Measures

The Presidential Task Force has also been instructed to implement mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration systems for passengers travelling from or transiting through designated high-risk countries.

In addition, airport facilities, baggage handling areas, cargo sections, and departure halls will undergo routine disinfection as part of preventive environmental health measures.

States Directed to Submit Preparedness Plans

President Tinubu further directed states hosting international airports and major border corridors to submit detailed preparedness plans, funding requirements, and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.

The task force has also been mandated to engage security, diplomatic, and aviation authorities on possible regulations concerning flights from affected or designated high-risk countries.

Among the options under consideration are the designation of specific airports or terminals for high-risk flights and adjustments to flight schedules to minimize interaction between potentially exposed passengers and other travellers.

The Federal Government said the measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen national health security and ensure rapid response capabilities against emerging public health threats.

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